Ben Kweller released his new music video for "Fight" on Myspace today and is set to release his new album at the beginning of February. Following these moves, Kweller has a tour beginning in the middle of February in Omaha.
Check the press release after the jump:
BEN KWELLER PREMIERES NEW MUSIC VIDEO FOR "FIGHT" ON MYSPACE MUSIC TODAY
NEW ALBUM "CHANGING HORSES" SET FOR RELEASE ON ATO RECORDS ON FEB. 3, 2009
Ben Kweller is proud to announce the premiere of his new music video for "Fight" on MySpace Music today, Thursday, January 29. As one of the highlight tracks from his soon-to-be released ATO Records album "Changing Horses," "Fight" is an upbeat representation of the album's musical craftsmanship, a body of work saturated in Country music influences and the kind of poignant songwriting one is to expect from the seasoned musician. The music video for "Fight" is a good-natured clip that illustrates exactly the lengths one will go for their buddies in a pinch. Check out the video below.
Changing Horses" was produced by Kweller and recorded mostly in Austin, TX, where he and his family recently re-located. The title is meaningful as it represents a sea change for the 27-year-old Texan-bred musician. Beginning with his first record, "Sha Sha," released in 2002, Kweller's albums have always been stylistically restless, moving from indie rock to ballads to anti-folk to melodic chug rock, often from song to song. "Changing Horses," on the other hand, is of one mind -- a full-blown, straight-up country affair, brimming with immaculate pedal steel, twang and multi-part harmonies. It features his touring band -- Chris Morrissey on bass and vocals, and Mark Stepro on drums and vocals -- as well as the brilliant Kitt Kitterman on pedal steel. Like all of Kweller's work, the new album is filled with unforgettable melodies and deeply soulful lyrics that could only come from someone as sensitive to the human spirit as he is.
To make the record, Kweller dug down to his deepest roots. "I grew up bass-fishing, playing in creeks, and shooting BB guns," Kweller says. "Country music was the soundtrack to my life. It's still a big part of who I am. When Garth Brooks or Alan Jackson come on the radio, somethin' happens inside. Brings me back to the trees, back to pushin' cars out of the mud. Reminds me of my hometown."
For Kweller, releasing a country album is the realization of a long-held goal. "I've been working on Horses for years." he says. "I wrote the first song for it when I was 16. Over time, I've collected these songs that fit together and wanted to release them together. I didn't want to try and fit them on my other albums one or two at a time."
Kweller and his band, who just finished a tour of America, the UK and Europe, have confirmed a North American tour for 2009 to support the release of "Changing Horses." The confirmed tour dates are below. A west coast leg of the tour as well more international dates will be announced soon.
February
16 - Omaha, NE - Slowdown
17 - Minneapolis, MN - Varsity Theatre
18 - Milwaukee, WI - Turner Hall
21 - Cleveland, OH - Case Western
22 - Toronto, ONT - The Mod Club Theatre
24 - Somerville, MA - Somerville Theatre
25 - New York, NY - Town Hall
26 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
27 - Philadelphia, PA - TLA
28 - Pittsburgh, PA - Diesel
March
01 - Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle
03 - Lousiville, KY - Headliners Music Hall
04 - Nashville, TN - Mercy Lounge
05 - Athens, GA - 40 Watt Club
06 - Birmingham, AL - Workplay Theater
For more on Ben Kweller: www.kweller.net
